A nurse has been struck off after she injected an patient with a sedative with no warning or explanation.

Claire Napier walked away laughing after injecting the vulnerable man with the drug at Ferryfield House Hospital in Edinburgh, a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) hearing was told.

The panel ruled Mrs Napier's actions were "reckless" and could have seriously harmed the patient.

Mrs Napier also failed to make a record of the injection following the incident in September 2014.

Charges that she administered a drug called Midazolam "when it was not clinically justified" and without providing prior warning to the patient" were found proven.

She also used an incorrect needle and injected the man in the shoulder area, an inappropriate place to do so.

A colleague told an NMC hearing she saw Ms Napier: "Approach Patient A from behind and administer an injection (2.5mgms of Midazolam) into the base of the neck/top of shoulder area with no warning being given to the patient."

She also noted: "Mrs Napier did not speak to Patient A after giving the injection at all and that following its administration, Patient A had shouted 'oh you f****r" at Mrs Napier who was walking away laughing'.

When NHS Lothian investigated they found the patient had a second mark on his neck which indicated he had been injected there on another occasion.

The matter was referred to the police but no criminal proceedings were taken.

Mrs Napier claimed the injection was necessary as she was worried the patient would harm himself.

When asked about the needle marks during NHS Lothian's investigation, Mrs Napier said she would "use any site to give an injection if it stopped him 'kicking off'."

Another nurse at the hospital, which provides short-term and respite care, said there was no evidence he was a risk to himself.

Striking her off, the NMC panel said Mrs Napier: "showed a reckless disregard for the safety, dignity and emotional well-being of a vulnerable patient."